Diswasher noise level - 53 db versus 50 db - any real difference??

We're looking at two Bosch dishwashers - one claims a noise level of 50 db,
and the other a noise level of 53 db - the features and functionality are
pretty much the same - there's about a $100 price difference.
Bosch has other, more expensive dishwashers in the mid-40 db range - they
are beyond my price point, but with a noise level that goes that low, maybe
the difference from 53 db to 50 db will be enough to justify the extra $100.
Is there an perceptable noise difference that I'll notice when the 50 db
machine is running versus the 53db machine?
Thanks!

Yes. Depends on how sensitive your ears are. Sound measurements are
not a linear function. Read up on the topic in any standard physics
textbook. If you were a music major, buy the pricier machine.
Otherwise, you may be annoyed or not, so why not get the most cost
effective machine and just close the kitchen door when it's running?
Joe

Not everyone has a kitchen door. I can almost turn around and see
the dishwasher from where I sit on the sofa in the living room.
The builder of my little 1948 ranch gave me a pretty open plan for the
time period. My next dishwasher will be the quietest one I can find.
Cindy Hamilton

We had a Bosch installed about 5 years ago. They said it was going to
be quiet, but I had no idea just how quiet. We can eat dinner a few
feet away from it and not know it's running until it empties water
into the drain under the sink. We were eating dinner one night and I
heard a gurgling sound in the sink and asked my wife, "What's that?"
She replied that she was running the diskwasher. Noises normally
drive me crazy, so this thing is amazing. I don't know what the noise
spec was. It's model number is SHX46A05UC/14 if anyone can look it
up.

a 100W stereo is 3 db louder than a 50W stereo
However, 10db is perceived as twice as loud.
Do you have a stereo with a volume control marked out in db?
Play some thing at medium-low volume. Move down three db.
3db isn't worth $100 in my opinion, but if you have such a stereo then
you can make your own decision.

I'd rather use that $100 for a bunch of teaks to make dirty dishes. You
won't hear much of a difference at all.
In addition, think about how the machine will be used. Most are in the
kitchen where you start the DW after dinner and then go to a different part
of the house while it runs. Unless you are putting yours in the bedroom and
run it at night, who cares about the slight noise difference?

I think there is more than decibels to an annoying sound. The one
with lower decibels might have a different pitch or pattern making it
more annoying than the 'noisier' one.
That said- I doubt Bosch makes a really annoying one as that is one of
the key features folks will comment on to their friends.
I'd buy on features that I can see.
Jim

Yes, there is a perceptible difference. 1dB is about the limit of
perceptibility. 3dB is twice the energy, but the ears are logarithmic
so it won't sound twice as loud.
Our kitchen is pretty well open to the living room so sound level is
important. We went with the Electrolux at 45dBA and haven't been
sorry.

====================================================================
dbs. Decibels are technically a 'Logarithmic ratio' of two things,
power, sound, noise etc. See example below.
So what does that mean? Well it means that every +3 decibels is twice
the amount.
But it is also based on the characteristics of the human ear; which is
just able to detect any doubling (or halving) of a sound level.
In other words if you turn up the TV volume a perceptible amount your
are probably increasing it by several levels, each of 3db. maybe say,
12 or 15 db. A slight increase of say 3db most likely barely, or not,
noticeable!
The other thing is that there are different references of decibels
(All based on Bels, so named after Alexander Graham who invented the
telephone).
The dbs mentioned by the OP are probaly referenced to dbA. Which
someone more knowledgeable will probably describe as a sound reference
level ............... seem to recall that a car with a sound level in
the 70dbA range (with windows closed, driving traffic etc.) is
considered fairly normal? If my recollection and that ratio is correct
that's about seven times louder than a 50 db, dishwasher. Much simpler
would be to ask someone who has similar model!
A dish washer, if one does have to run it at the same time as sitting/
listening/watching TV nearby with a sound level in the 50db range
sounds OK? What the heck that one is +3db louder. Wouldn't spend
extra!
We run ours, a used one that somebody gave us and we fixed for a few
dollars ourselves some years ago, although it's noise does not seem to
interfere with the TV some 25 feet away in a 'family' room open to the
kitchen; or after we go to bed, if noise is a factor.
Why decibels????? Well the reason is that decibels can be added
together whereas ratios such as half or a quarter of something can be
tricky to calculate.
Example: The difference between a 200 watt sound amplifier bulb and a
100 watt amplifier is 2 to 1 (Or double the power if you like). So one
might think that one is 'Twice as loud as the other'!
Well ..............
Logarithmically that's 200/100 = 2 and the logarithm of 2 = 0.3 Bels.
That's = to 3 decibels (three tenths of a Bel). And three decibels is
the just detectable level of change that human ear can notice.
To get a really noticable change in sound level an 800 watt amplifier,
that's a +3, +3, +3 = +9 db. or 100 to 800 watts.
Anyway; with apologies for all the technical stuff, you won't hardly
notice the difference between 53 dbs and 50 dbs.

The tech stuff is interesting. One thing not mentioned though, is the
pitch. The loudness is only of factor in determining if a noise is going to
annoy you. High pitched squealing type noises can drive you nuts no matter
how quite as apposed to a low toned louder rumble.

Yes, there is a detectable difference. "Quiet" has a price, you're
unlikely to find a quiet dishwasher under $800. You can fix
fibererglass insulation or batting around the unit to help even more.
I can barely hear mine until the drain start to gurgle.

replying to TNSTAAFL, nick wrote:
My dad always said 'Buy the best and you will always be happy with it'.
This is an item you are going to be using for 10 years plus. Spend the extra and
get something you will love.
Skip going to four movies over the next year to pay the difference. You won't
miss the movie, but you sure will enjoy the quieter dishwasher for the nine
years afterwards.

3dB difference is equivalent to one half of the sound level. You'll hear
it, but it'll not be dramatically lower. It also depends on where its
located (near people having quiet conversations, TV etc). I opted for
50dB and haven't regretted it.
Thane

Log in

HomeOwnersHub.com is a website for homeowners and building and maintenance pros. It is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here.
All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.